Kyoto, Japan and ORLANDO, Florida, Hollywood, Calif. – Imagine the fun of stepping into a larger-than-life Nintendo adventure. Gigantic Piranha Plants spring to life. Question blocks, power-ups and more surround you. And Mario and all his friends are there to pull you into a brand-new world.

You will enter an entire realm filled with iconic Nintendo excitement, gameplay, heroes and villains. And it is coming to three Universal theme parks around the globe.

The creative visionaries behind Nintendo’s legendary worlds and characters are working together with the creative teams behind Universal’s blockbuster theme park attractions. Their goal: to bring the characters, action and adventure of Nintendo video games to life within Universal theme parks. And to do so in new and innovative ways that capture what makes them so special. All of the adventure, fun and whimsy you experience through a screen will now be all around you – in breathtakingly authentic ways.

These will be expansive, immersive and interactive. They will be highly themed and authentic environments filled with multiple attractions, shops and restaurants.

Guests will feel as if they are playing inside their favorite games – this time in real life.

There will be something for everyone – regardless of their age or gaming experience level.

Planning and creative work on these areas is well underway; they will open separately over the next several years.

The new themed areas come as the result of a global partnership between Universal Parks & Resorts and Nintendo – two icons of the entertainment world. Universal theme parks create incredibly popular family entertainment experiences for millions of people based on compelling characters, stories and innovative technology. Nintendo creates remarkable and imaginative games filled with captivating stories and beloved characters.

Each Universal theme park will announce details of its specific Nintendo areas. The first such announcement will come soon.

About Universal Parks & ResortsUniversal Parks & Resorts, a unit of Comcast NBCUniversal, offers guests around the globe today’s most relevant and popular entertainment experiences. With three-time Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, its theme parks are known for immersive experiences that feature some of the world’s most thrilling and technologically advanced film- and television-based attractions.

Comcast NBCUniversal wholly owns Universal Studios Hollywood, which includes Universal CityWalk Hollywood. It also owns Universal Orlando Resort, a destination resort with two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure), five resort hotels, and Universal CityWalk Orlando. In addition, Comcast NBCUniversal owns a 51 percent majority interest in Universal Studios Japan, in Osaka and has a license agreement with Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore. The company has also announced plans for a theme park in Beijing.

About NintendoThe worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™and Wii™home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™and Nintendo DS™families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.4 billion video games and more than 696 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™and Pokémon™.

Newhall, Calif. – Another month of astounding performances is on the horizon, providing residents time to sit back and enjoy a show in the midst of holiday busyness. December is bringing a new collection of eclectic performers to the Repertory East Playhouse, at 24266 Main Street, for Thursday@Newhall’s 10 by 10 and Note by Note events. December 1 will be kicking off the month with an assortment of acts at the 10 by 10 Variety Night. December 8 will feature several talented musicians during Note by Note. Each Thursday evening begins at 7:00 p.m.

During the 10 by 10 Variety Night, on December 1, audience members will enjoy The New Mexican, Fisher McLeod School of Irish Dance and Dan Sachoff’s ventriloquist act. More performances will be by musician Abel Gallardo, Golden Pen Writers Guild and comedian Peggy Sinnot. Finally, musician Robert Matter, comedian Richard Myers and storyteller Vicki Juditz will contribute their own stylings and talents.

The second Thursday of the month, December 8, will bring additional entertainment at Note by Note. Five unique and gifted songwriters will bring their musical tastes and melodies; Sara Niemietz, Jen Hajj and J.C. Hyke, Antje Zumbansen and Tim Propersi. Residents will not want to miss these performances.

For more information regarding these events or to find information about participating as a performer, visit ThursdaysAtNewhall.com.

Thank you for your participation in the City of Santa Clarita’s Thursdays@Newhall events. In an effort to further develop Old Town Newhall as an Arts and Entertainment District and to expand the various events in the area, we would like your feedback on the 2016 Thursdays@Newhall series. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your thoughts. Thank you!

LOS ANGELES ZOO “ZooLAbrates” 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPENING DAY IN 1966 WITH 50 precedent off ADMISSION/MOST FOOD AND BEVERAGE, 50TH BIRTHDAY CAKE-STYLE TREATS FOR ANIMALS, AND BIRTHDAY PARTY FEATURING BIRTHDAY CAKE, WALK WITH ANIMALS AND MORE

Los Angeles, Calif. –The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens marks 50 years from the day it opened in 1966 with an extra-special discount of 50 percent off admission/food and beverage purchases (except alcohol and Reggie’s Bistro dining) and a “ZooLAbration” Birthday Partyon Monday, November 28, 2016. A “walk with the animals” begins the day at 10 am when guests are led from the front of the Zoo to the party by costumed characters and keepers with animals from the Zoo’s “walk-about” program. From 10 to 10:30 am, the Birthday Party, which takes place at the “ZooLAbrate” stage near the Eucalyptus Grove, features a themed birthday cake served to visitors, a gigantic birthday card for guests to sign with their best birthday wishes, and presentations by John Lewis, L.A. Zoo Director, and Connie Morgan, President of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, as well as other special guests. Throughout the day until 4 pm, a slate of animals receives special enrichment birthday cake-style treats. As part of the “ZooLAbration,” a new microsite at www.ZooLAbrate50.org provides opportunities for the public to submit Zoo memories and offers special content including L.A. Zoo milestones, upcoming events and more.

“ZooLAbrate” encompasses not only the L.A. Zoo’s key role as a world-class destination and an important community asset but also its critical successes in conservation, quality of life and premier care for animals. Having recently completed a $172 million master plan which significantly improved the Zoo facility, the 50th anniversary coincides with the early planning stages of a new Master Plan for the future.

Admission purchased in person at the L.A. Zoo is 50% off on November 28 ONLY: $10 for general ages 13 to 61 (regularly $20); $8.50 for seniors ages 62+ (regularly $17), and $7.50 for children ages 2 to 12 (regularly $15). Children under two are free. Birthday Party activities are free with paid L.A. Zoo admission. Admission for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members is free. See www.lazoo.org for details.

The landmark Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, drawing nearly 1.8 million visitors each year, is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered, as well as a botanical collection comprising over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. The L.A. Zoo’s lush grounds on 113 acres feature Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States; Red Ape Rain Forest, where visitors can walk among orangutans; the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles); Elephants of Asia; Campo Gorilla Reserve; and one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world. Among other highlights are an extraordinary, hands-on Hippo Encounter; the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo and Muriel’s Ranch animal contact area; the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel; a variety of daily opportunities to learn more about animals, including close-up visits, special feedings and intriguing talks; and much more. The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), which has supported the Zoo in partnership with the City of Los Angeles for more than five decades and provides funding for and operates seven essential Zoo departments, has 60,000 member households representing more than 240,000 adults and children. As evidence of the Zoo’s popularity, GLAZA attracts one of the largest membership bases of any cultural organization in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Free parking is available. 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027, (323) 644-4200. For tickets and more, visit lazoo.org and ZooLAbrate50.org.

The Princess Diarist is Carrie Fisher’s intimate, hilarious and revealing recollection of what happened behind the scenes on one of the most famous film sets of all time, the first StarWars movie. *Named a PEOPLE Magazine Best Book of Fall 2016 *A New York Times Bestseller *

Santa Clarita, Calif. – Do you enjoy performing for an audience? Thursdays@Newhall’s 10 by 10 event provides emerging artists, as well as seasoned veterans of the stage, the opportunity to do what they love –perform. On the first Thursday of the month, an audience of Santa Clarita residents gathers at the Repertory East Playhouse in Newhall to enjoy ten minute pieces from ten artists.

10 by 10 welcomes all types of performances, so long as they match Thursdys@Newhall’s commitment to building community. Performance types include short films, storytelling, comedy acts, magic shows and more. All interested entertainers must submit an application and a link to a video clip. Participants are selected by the City of Santa Clarita. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. and the ten minute time limit is enforced. Further information and applications can be found at ThursdaysAtNewhall.com.

Beginning Monday, November 21 through Thursday, December 15, viewers are encouraged to submit wishes for friends and family at NBCLA.com/wishingtree. Guests are also invited to share their wishes in person at Universal CityWalk’s “5 Towers” plaza.

Every night from December 12-16, NBC4 will grant the wishes live from Universal CityWalk during the NBC4 News starting at 4 p.m. with Weathercaster Fritz Coleman. For the next four weeks, viewers are encouraged to make wishes for others who are important in their lives.

Everyone is welcome to join NBC4 and be part of the live wish reveals at the “5 Towers” plaza on Universal CityWalk. Those visiting The Wishing Tree are encouraged to post photos and videos on social media using #NBC4You. Updates and a schedule of the Holidays at Universal CityWalk can be found at www.CityWalkHollywood.com as well as on CityWalk’s Facebook- Universal CityWalk Hollywood, Twitter and Instagram @CityWalkLA.Viewers can tune in to NBC4’s Today in LA at 4:30 to 7 a.m. and NBC4 News at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and follow @NBCLA on social media for daily highlights.

In addition to The Wishing Tree, Universal CityWalk celebrates the spirit of the season, beginning the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 25 through Sunday, January 1. A spectacular 40-foot tall Christmas tree will glisten with 200,000 LED icicles choreographed to the lights and sounds of the season in the 5 Towers plaza. Santa Claus will make nightly appearances and offer special photo opportunities at “5 Towers.” Admission to Universal CityWalk is free.

About Universal Studios Hollywood:Universal Studios HollywoodTM is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter TM” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor rollercoaster, as well the all-new “The Walking Dead” permanent daytime attraction. Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons RideTM.” The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s flagship attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television studio where they can also experience such authentic and immersive thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.” The destination also features the Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, including the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue.

About NBC4 Southern California:NBC4 Southern California is the West Coast flagship station of the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, serving the vast region since 1949. NBC4 produces more than 40 hours each week of local news and weather, and the station features the largest award-winning investigative unit in Southern California. NBC4’s news operation has received nearly every industry award bestowed on local news, including numerous Los Angeles Emmy and Golden Mike Awards, two national and two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and a Peabody Award. NBC4 news is delivered across the main broadcast on channel 4, at www.nbcla.com, and through multiple interactive social media platforms 24/7. The NBC Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, also operates COZI TV (www.cozitv.com), a national network that brings viewers some of America’s most beloved and iconic television shows and movies.

The Paley Center for Media celebrates the joy of the season with a special family-friendly experience. It’s Holiday Time in PaleyLand features continuous daily screenings of beloved classic holiday TV programs from the Paley Archive, along with family activities and a visit with Santa.

Beverly Hills, Calif. –The Paley Center for Media celebrates the joy of the season with a special family-friendly experience. It’s Holiday Time in PaleyLand features continuous daily screenings of beloved classic holiday TV programs from the Paley Archive, along with family activities and a visit with Santa. Walt Disney Archives: Rounding out the experience are costumes from The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, presented by the Walt Disney Archives and D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. The Santa costume was worn by Tim Allen in the 2006 feature and includes a leather belt with decorative gold metal and a pair of leather mittens with black fleece lining. Martin Short played Jack Frost and wore the colorful costume, which includes a blue velvet jacked with a painted silver pinstripe.

TICKETS FOR THE EXHIBIT FREE and open to the public. No advance ticketing.

The Holiday Lighting Celebration is set for Sunday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. in the 200 block of Rodeo Drive.

Beverly Hills, Calif. – ‘Rodeo Drive is using this Holiday season to give back to the community in a big way with a new digital experience and a commitment to giving back to local charities, the Rodeo Drive Committee will ring in the Holiday season this year with an exciting, dynamic Holiday Lighting Celebration.

The Holiday Lighting Celebration is set for Sunday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. in the 200 block of Rodeo Drive.

In addition to the annual tree lighting, Rodeo Drive will light up the night with a ceremony hosted by longtime Entertainment Tonighthost Mary Hart and a live musical performance from singer Megan Hilty.

The “Taste of the Holidays” will feature tasty treats from various food and drink vendors in the Golden Triangle.

New York, NY -Two-time Tony Award-winning legends Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole join forces to portray the trailblazing cosmetic icons who built empires in a business world ruled by men. Performances Begin March 7, 2017 at the Nederlander Theatre – 208 W 41st St. – New York, NY.

WAR PAINT tells the remarkable story of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden—fierce rivals who defined 20th Century beauty. In creating an industry, they reinvented themselves and revolutionized how the world saw women.

Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden defined beauty standards for the first half of the 20th Century. Brilliant innovators with humble roots, both were masters of self-invention who sacrificed everything to become the country’s first major female entrepreneurs. They were also fierce competitors, whose 50-year tug-of-war would give birth to an industry. From Fifth Avenue society to the halls of Congress, their rivalry was relentless and legendary—pushing both women to build international empires in a world dominated by men.

Patti LuPone (Evita, Gypsy), who “generates more raw excitement than any other performer on Broadway” (The New York Times), and Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, 42nd Street), a “first-class, revitalizing master of period style” (The New York Times), go head-to-head in this musical about two legendary women who forever changed the business of beauty.

War Paint

Nederlander Theatre – 208 W 41st St. – New York, NY

Performances Begin March 7, 2017

Two-time Tony Award-winning legends Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole join forces to portray the trailblazing cosmetic icons who built empires in a business world ruled by men.WAR PAINT tells the remarkable story of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden—fierce rivals who defined 20th Century beauty. In creating an industry, they reinvented themselves and revolutionized how the world saw women.